"They'd pitched their tent to a tree and just shortly prior to 4.50am this morning lightning struck the tree and went through the tree," Tweed/Bryon LAC Superintendent Wayne Starling told the Tweed News .

"It appears it may have touched the male's seat in the tent and sadly killed him."

He also commended the efforts of the to hikers who tried their best to save the man.

"They've got to be proud of the effort they made to save another human's life," Supt Starling said.

"They should have no baggage from what happened up on the mountain today. The lady didn't appear to be seriously injured at the time.”